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52 Ancestors: Valentine

BUT, it’s because it includes a recipe! And since Valentine’s Day is on Wednesday, I wanted to give people time to make these delicious cookies.

My mom has a cookie for every holiday. As a holiday approached, us kids would come home from school to cookies laid out across the counter. So when I thought about this week’s prompt – Valentine – I immediately thought of her cookies.

This recipe comes from the Betty Crocker Cooky Book. The copy we have was actually my maternal grandma’s, given to her by her mother on January 2, 1964, in honor of her 47th birthday. My mom says she first made these in high school.

The recipe used is not specifically meant for Valentine’s Day, but my mom would cut them into hearts and top them with pink icing. They are light and flavorful, and one of my all-time favorite cookies.

AUSTRIAN CREAM COOKIES: (makes about 4 dozen, we usually double the batch and make bigger cookies)

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out cookies 1/4 to 3/8 inches thick (I like a nice thick cookie). Bake 10-13 minutes and cool on a wire rack. Top with icing recipe (below).

Fun fact, my dad had this rolling pin when my parents got married! It belonged to his paternal grandma, Cora.

If your oven runs hot, you will need less baking time. I baked mine for 8 minutes for the large ones (as pictured), and 7 minutes for smaller ones. They need to be pale brown on the top and will turn dark faster, so keep on eye on them.

I love the comment of “Good!” in my mom’s handwriting, and the doubled measurements in my sister’s. This is a well-loved cookbook!

Once you have them mixed, chilled, baked, and cooled, you can ice them. The icing is easy and oh-so-good. But the cookies are delicious without them as well, if you are impatient.